INDIANAPOLIS ó Dontari Poe, a potential target for the Steelers in the first round of the draft, talked about Casey Hampton, his versatility and his devotion to the weight room today during his media interview at the NFL Combine.

Poe, a defensive tackle from Memphis, was measured at 6-4, and he weighed in at 346 pounds. He didnít look like someone that is pushing 350 pounds, and the biggest question the Steelers may have about Poe is whether they will get a crack at him.
The Steelers donít pick until No. 24 in the first round of the draft.

Here are three questions with Poe:

Q: Are you more comfortable in a 3-4 or a 4-3 defense?
A: Iím used to both, I played both in college. Either or would be good for me. Iím comfortable playing either so itís really not a big deal. Most people kind of see me as a 3-4 nose tackle, which is cool with me because I like that position as well. I like to think that I am versatile. I can play multiple positions.

Q: You seem to know your way around a weight room. Can you talk about that?
A: I love the weight room. Itís something that I got into high school because people always used to say college players are way bigger, faster, stronger and when you get to college they say the NFL is way bigger, stronger. I never let up. Iím self motivated to do it.

Q: You said you have long followed Casey Hampton. What do you like about him?
A: Heís one of the more aggressive defensive tackles that this league has seen. His hand strength, once he gets his hands on you he controls you. Thatís probably what I admire most about him.

If we were able to draft Poe, I would love to see Hampton play the final year and Poe spell him now and then.

The whole "player coaching the young guy" is not something I subscribe to a lot, but young guys definately pick things up while in the meeting room, the locker room, the weight room and in position groups in practice. Poe seeing how a professional like Hampton conducts himself goes a long way, especially when he will not likely start his rookie season.

Yeah the article in the post today got me more interested in Poe for sure. However Colbert did mention it is not common to take a player that is not a 3 down player in the first round. However a guy like Poe could be moved around a bit like Ngata.

Yeah the article in the post today got me more interested in Poe for sure. However Colbert did mention it is not common to take a player that is not a 3 down player in the first round. However a guy like Poe could be moved around a bit like Ngata.

That comment about a 3 down player is crap. BJ Raji, Casey Hampton, Ngata and more are not all 3 down players. The kid is an incredible force and the only thing that keeps him out of the 1st round is that he isnt polished.

A 2 gap NT that occupies 2 blockers will allow the LB's to make plays. If the Steelers do draft him, dont expect to see him play much though. He might get the same kind of snaps that Heyward got this year, unless there is an injury.

If we were able to draft Poe, I would love to see Hampton play the final year and Poe spell him now and then.

The whole "player coaching the young guy" is not something I subscribe to a lot, but young guys definately pick things up while in the meeting room, the locker room, the weight room and in position groups in practice. Poe seeing how a professional like Hampton conducts himself goes a long way, especially when he will not likely start his rookie season.

I just hope he doesn't pick up Hampton's Cheetohs & Krispy Kreme regimen along the way.